Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting Blog
New at the Museum – A Rare 1914 Robinson Pumper
After many years in storage, one of the oldest motorized pieces in our collection, a rare 1914 Robinson Pumper from Gila Bend, Arizona, is now proudly exhibited in Gallery III. The rig was purchased from the St. Louis manufacturer in 1915 by the mining town of Globe, Arizona, and sold to Gila Bend around 1940.
United Responder Shield Embarks on URS250Tour Honoring First Responders and National Unity
The United Responder Shield™ is a seven-foot, 300-pound tribute to first responders, created by contemporary Terrazzo master Allen Sedaka and through the divine inspiration of Bruce Schmutter, whose life’s purpose was reborn as a volunteer responder on September 12, 2001, in the aftermath of the World Trade Center.
Siren Song: 75 Years of the Federal Signal Q-Siren
After initial success with a number of vehicular sirens, Federal Signal developed a siren solution that became the standard in the industry. The trademark Q siren tone was so iconic, nothing can come close to it. The Q siren absolutely penetrates the vehicle way better than a standard electronic siren does. It’s not asking for permission. It’s demanding compliance.
The Hall of Flame’s Baseball Connection
Stepping into the Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting is like stepping back time. One exhibit at the museum honors the intersection of firefighting and baseball. The person in the middle of that intersection, Alexander Joy Cartwright, was a 19th century New York City firefighter who was widely considered for being the father of baseball.
The Great Floods
This past fall Mother Nature showed us all that she’s the boss, and sometimes a mean and unpredictable boss. First on Friday, September 26, strong rains hit the museum and water rose into the Hall of Heroes, along the east side of the building. On Monday, October 13, a second, even stronger microburst struck the east Valley. Tempe and East Phoenix were hit hard; roofs were torn off buildings and hundreds of trees were knocked down.
What a Dramatic Difference a Door Can Make in a House Fire
In a house fire, are you safer sleeping with your bedroom doors open or closed? In the following video, see for yourself the dramatic, life-saving difference a door can make in the unfortunate event of a house fire.
Senior Docent Gary Bohling Passes Away at 91
On January 31st, 2026, our beloved senior docent Gary Bohling passed away at the age of 91. Gary will be sorely missed as a great docent and tour guide. In the previous week before his passing, he estimated that he had conducted about a thousand tours in his 24 years with the Hall of Flame.
1889 Gleason & Bailey Hand Drawn Parade Carriage
In this post, we are featuring our 1889 Gleason & Bailey Hand Drawn Parade Carriage which currently resides in in Gallery I at the Hall of Flame Museum.
13 Fire Service Groups You Can Support on Giving Tuesday
We are honored to have our museum listed by Firehouse.com as 1 of 13 fire service groups to support on Giving Tuesday. Giving Tuesday – the first Tuesday of December – has become a day of generosity and a reminder that the spirit of giving can be just as powerful as any holiday gift.
The Pacific – 1866 Hunneman Hand Drawn Pumper
Why would a fire department in Maine call its fire engine “The Pacific?” “Pacific” is the name on the side of this 1866 Hunneman hand drawn pumper and hose cart from Rockport, Maine, now on exhibit in Gallery One at the Hall of Flame.